Sunday, 28 July 2013

The last 2 days have brought a few new species for the year to the moth trap, including: V-Pug, Dun-bar, Lesser Broad Bordered Underwing, Meal Moth, Yellow Shell and the Codling Moth. The most interesting was Clouded Brindle which only my 4th garden
record and looked rather different to the last one 2 years ago. (I've had
the identification confirmed.)

Thursday, 25 July 2013

25 moths of 19 species this morning was better than of late with a few new ones for the year list including Lesser Yellow Underwing, Small Blood-vein, Large Tabby, and best of all my 2nd ever record of Caloptilia alchimiella which despite refridgeration etc. wouldn't co-operate with being photographed. Made a trip to Dunge and Rye yesterday. Didn't see very much. The Great White Egret was showing well on Dengemarsh and there was a Hobby there. At Rye harbour failed to get any Roseate Terns but the Common Terns were feeding young.

Tuesday, 23 July 2013

Well quite a lot of moth trappers seem to be getting good catches now. Last night we had a lingering thunderstorm which the moth trap survived well. However, there were quite a few Caddis Flies, Water Boatmen, Midges etc. in the trap this morning and just 1 moth-Clepsis consimilana! So continuing the Canada theme:

Saturday, 20 July 2013

I've been away in Canada for the last 2 weeks and missed the best weather of the summer so far. Put the trap out last night expecting bumper numbers but got only 17 moths of 12 species. Four of these were new for the year but there was nothing exciting. So here a couple of bird pictures from Canada, both species were new ones for me. The Lewis's Woodpecker is interesting in that it hawks for insects rather like a large Swallow.

Monday, 1 July 2013

17 moths of 15 species this morning. New for the year were Scoparia ambigualis, Garden Pebble, Buff Ermine, Dwarf Cream Wave and Broken-barred Carpet. So at the end of June I've recorded 95 species so far this year compared to 117 last year at the same time.

About Me

I have been running my 6W actinic Heath trap for 16 seasons now, and I am keen on macro-photography. Initially I used a Canon 550D with a Sigma 105mm macro lens, tripod and cable release, for garden moth pictures, but I now have a Canon 750D and a Canon 100mm L IS Lens. I also use a Canon 100-400 Lens for Bird photography but I have found it can be used for the larger insects too, sometimes with an extension tube.